Hart residents receive a 'Fair' Benefits Service

Hart Residents receive a 'Fair' Benefits Service that has Promising Prospects for Improvement

The Audit Commission inspection team gave the service a ‘fair’ rating. This is because benefit claims are dealt with quickly, customer care is good and users are satisfied with the service they receive. The inspection did highlight some areas for improvement to ensure the validity of claims and the accuracy of benefits calculations. However, the Audit Commission’s view is that the Hart Benefits Service has promising prospects for improvement because both the Council and its contractor, Capita, have an established track record of making successful changes and service improvements.

Cllr Ken Crookes, leader of the Council said “the inspection report gives us the assurance that we have a firm foundation on which to build and that we are moving in the right direction. I am pleased the report notes the service strengths in customer care and promptness of payment. The areas for improvement are already being worked on and good progress is being made”.

Copies of the report are available from Hart District Council or from the Audit Commission website at www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports